November: Skin Cancer Awareness

Basic Information about Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Some people are at higher risk of skin cancer than others, but anyone can get it. The most preventable cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, either from the sun or from artificial sources like tanning beds.

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types of skin cancer—basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas—are highly curable, but can be disfiguring and costly. Melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous and causes the most deaths. The majority of these three types of skin cancer are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.

Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are an invisible kind of radiation that comes from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps. UV rays can penetrate and change skin cells.

The three types of UV rays are ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC)—

UVA is the most common kind of sunlight at the earth’s surface, and reaches beyond the top layer of human skin. Scientists believe that UVA rays can damage connective tissue and increase a person’s risk of skin cancer.

Most UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer, so they are less common at the earth’s surface than UVA rays. UVB rays, which help produce vitamin D in the skin, don’t reach as far into the skin as UVA rays, but they still can be damaging.

UVC rays are very dangerous, but they are absorbed by the ozone layer and do not reach the ground.

In addition to sunburn, too much exposure to UV rays can change skin texture, cause the skin to age prematurely, and can lead to skin cancer. UV rays also have been linked to eye conditions such as cataracts.

The National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency developed the UV Index to forecast the risk of overexposure to UV rays. It lets you know how much caution you should take when working, playing, or exercising outdoors.

The UV Index predicts exposure levels on a 1–15 scale; higher levels indicate a higher risk of overexposure. Calculated on a next-day basis for dozens of cities across the United States, the UV Index takes into account clouds and other local conditions that affect the amount of UV rays reaching the ground.

What are Risk Factors?

People with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop skin cancer. Risk factors vary for different types of skin cancer, but some general risk factors are having—

A lighter natural skin color.

Family history of skin cancer.

A personal history of skin cancer.

Exposure to the sun through work and play.

A history of sunburns, especially early in life.

A history of indoor tanning.

Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun.

Blue or green eyes.

Blond or red hair.

Certain types and a large number of moles.

Tanning and Burning

Ultraviolet (UV) rays come from the sun or from indoor tanning (using a tanning bed, booth, or sunlamp to get tan). When UV rays reach the skin’s inner layer, the skin makes more melanin. Melanin is the pigment that colors the skin. It moves toward the outer layers of the skin and becomes visible as a tan.

A tan does not indicate good health. A tan is a response to injury, because skin cells signal that they have been hurt by UV rays by producing more pigment.

People burn or tan depending on their skin type, the time of year, and how long they are exposed to UV rays. The six types of skin, based on how likely it is to tan or burn, are—

Although everyone’s skin can be damaged by UV exposure, people with skin types I and II are at the highest risk.

What are the Symptoms of Skin Cancer?

A change in your skin is the most common sign of skin cancer. This could be a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a change in a mole. Not all skin cancers look the same.

A simple way to remember the signs of melanoma is to remember the A-B-C-D-Es of melanoma—

“A” stands for asymmetrical. Does the mole or spot have an irregular shape with two parts that look very different?

“B” stands for border. Is the border irregular or jagged?

“C” is for color. Is the color uneven?

“D” is for diameter. Is the mole or spot larger than the size of a pea?

“E” is for evolving. Has the mole or spot changed during the past few weeks or months?

Talk to your doctor if you notice changes in your skin such as a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, a change in an old growth, or any of the A-B-C-D-Es of melanoma.

What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk of Skin Cancer?

Protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation is important all year round, not just during the summer or at the beach. UV rays from the sun can reach you on cloudy and hazy days, as well as bright and sunny days. UV rays also reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow. Indoor tanning (using a tanning bed, booth, or sunlamp to get tan) exposes users to UV radiation.

The hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Daylight Saving Time (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. standard time) are the most hazardous for UV exposure outdoors in the continental United States. UV rays from sunlight are the greatest during the late spring and early summer in North America.

CDC recommends easy options for protection from UV radiation—

Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours.

Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.

Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears, and neck.

Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block both UVA and UVB rays.

Use sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.

Avoid indoor tanning.

What Screening Tests Are There?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has concluded there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against routine screening (total body examination by a doctor) to find skin cancers early. The USPSTF recommends that doctors—

Be aware that fair-skinned men and women aged 65 and older, and people with atypical moles or more than 50 moles, are at greater risk for melanoma.

Look for skin abnormalities when performing physical examinations for other reasons.

Just a few serious sunburns can increase your child’s risk of skin cancer later in life. Kids don’t have to be at the pool, beach, or on vacation to get too much sun. Their skin needs protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they’re outdoors.

Seek shade. UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday, so it’s best to plan indoor activities then. If this is not possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella, or a pop-up tent. Use these options to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief after it’s happened.

Cover up. When possible, long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts can provide protection from UV rays. Clothes made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. A wet T-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one, and darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors. Some clothing certified under international standards comes with information on its ultraviolet protection factor.

Get a hat. Hats that shade the face, scalp, ears, and neck are easy to use and give great protection. Baseball caps are popular among kids, but they don’t protect their ears and neck. If your child chooses a cap, be sure to protect exposed areas with sunscreen.

Wear sunglasses. They protect your child’s eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life. Look for sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.

Apply sunscreen. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB protection every time your child goes outside. For the best protection, apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before going outdoors. Don’t forget to protect ears, noses, lips, and the tops of feet.

Take sunscreen with you to reapply during the day, especially after your child swims or exercises. This applies to waterproof and water-resistant products as well.

Follow the directions on the package for using a sunscreen product on babies less than 6 months old. All products do not have the same ingredients; if your or your child’s skin reacts badly to one product, try another one or call a doctor. Your baby’s best defense against sunburn is avoiding the sun or staying in the shade.

Keep in mind, sunscreen is not meant to allow kids to spend more time in the sun than they would otherwise. Try combining sunscreen with other options to prevent UV damage.

Admission

Catch Up or Graduate Faster with Summer

Admission

It's never too early to think about summer. 600+ online and in-person courses for current and visiting students. Plus, programs for high school and international students, career training, and study abroad. Register for a Summer I course and take $500 off a Summer II course.

Explore a Program

Fast-Track MBA in Finance or Marketing

Explore a Program

Completed in just one year, Pace University's elite fast-track MBA will prepare you to succeed in the fast-paced and ever-changing financial industry. Choose from one of two concentrations: financial management or marketing management.

Explore a Program

MST in Childhood and Childhood Special Ed

Explore a Program

Pace's 48-credit, dual-certification MST in childhood and childhood special education program provides students the pedagogical knowledge, skills, and disposition necessary to become successful classroom teachers, both in general and childhood special ed classrooms.

Event

Disabilities Film Festival: March 20

Event

Join Pace University for a Celebration of Individuals with Disabilities in Film, the University’s sixth annual film festival marathon featuring short films respecting autonomy and empowerment of people with disabilities on Tuesday, March 20, in NYC.

News

Pace Alumna Shines in Black Panther

News

Pace School of Performing Arts BFA in Acting alumna Nabiyah Be '14 makes her film debut in Marvel's mega-hit film “Black Panther,” which hit movie theaters on February 16. Be plays criminal associate to Erik Killmonger, played by Michael B. Jordan.

News

Pace University Names New Provost

News

Pace President Marvin Krislov has announced that Vanya Quiñones, PhD, a neurobiologist and biopsychologist who serves as Associate Provost for Student Success and Retention at CUNY’s Hunter College, will assume the role of Pace University Provost, effective July 1.

Virtual Tour

A Peek Inside the Pleasantville Campus

Virtual Tour

A close-knit collegiate campus lifestyle with access to all the dynamic professional and cultural opportunities in the New York metro area. Pace's newly revitalized, 200-acre Pleasantville Campus gives students the best of both worlds. Take a virtual tour right now!

Students Speak

Big Apple, Big Opportunities

Students Speak

"Pace—and the city in general—has provided me with an endless amount of opportunities," says Abby Fox '19. Hear how the University's outstanding location led her to an internship at Viacom where she would draft a pitch that would be seen by Amy Poehler.

Awards

Pace NYC Model UN Team Excels in DC

Awards

Pace's award-winning Model UN team is at it again, picking up eight awards including Distinguished Delegation and Outstanding Position Paper awards at the 2017 National Model UN Conference in Washington DC. The Pace NYC Team placed fourth out of 67 competing universities.

Award

Pace Wins National College Fed Challenge

Award

Pace University beat out Ivy League schools including Harvard and Princeton to win the 14th annual national College Federal Reserve Challenge, marking the third time in four years that Pace has won this prestigious competition.

Virtual Tour

Explore Pace's NYC Campus

Virtual Tour

Located in the heart of Lower Manhattan, Pace's New York City Campus is your home base for studying, living, and working in the greatest city on earth, with access to internships, cultural opportunities, and more right in your backyard.

Office of the President

President Krislov Op-Ed in Crain's

Office of the President

In an op-ed for Crain's New York Business, President Marvin Krislov shares his views on the transformative power of higher education and how New York schools are leading the pack in catapulting students to a better life.

News

Pace's Elephant Act Signed Into Law

News

The Elephant Protection Act, originated by Pace Environmental Policy Clinic students, was signed into law by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo on October 19, 2017, making New York the first state in the nation to ban the use of elephants in entertainment.

Video

See the Pace Path in Action

Video

From conducting research with faculty mentors to securing internships, hear five Pace students talk about how the Pace Path is empowering them to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals, and ultimately become successful, sought after leaders in their fields.